"There is no end to self-knowledge."

Astrological Musings & More

If you follow me on Twitter @JourneywithMaya, you know that I post the daily planetary changes – when the planets enter a different sign and what that means from an energy perspective.

The “planet” that I post the most about is the Moon, Earth‘s only satellite. Besides being the fastest of the planets – it moves through all its phases and all 12 signs of the zodiac in about 29 days – its closeness to Earth (a mere 238,856 miles) also gives it the strongest gravitational influence on our planet. In other words, its energies have the strongest affect on us Earthlings.

From an astrological point of view, the Moon represents the emotions. Where the Moon was at the time of your birth speaks to your natural emotional temperament but as the Moon moves through its phases and through the other signs of the zodiac, if you pay close attention, you will see how its movement affects you on an emotional level. This can be very helpful information for empowering yourself with how you respond to the challenges of every day life.

The phases are the Moon are much like the yearly journey of the Sun. The Full Moon is filled with energy, like the Sun at Summer Solstice, and can have a very potent effect on people’s emotions and actions. The New Moon, on the other hand, is lacking in energy and often makes people emotionally tired or without desire, much like the Sun at Winter Solstice when we are all praying for the days to get longer and warmer. With the First Quarter and Last Quarter of the Moon, we are looking at balance points, like the Sun at Spring and Fall Equinox. These are times when balance and harmony in the emotions are goals. Yes, the Moon does have that effect on us.

I speak often of the Moon going “Void”. The actual term is “Void of Course”. What this refers to is a period of time when the Moon is reaching the time where it will pass from one sign to another and it has formed its last major aspect or connection with another planet. This period of time, from that last major aspect until it moves into the next sign of the zodiac, is what “Void of Course,” or just “Void,” refers to. This period of being Void can last a few minutes or for a whole day or more. It all depends on the location of the other planets and their interaction with the Moon.

The word “void” means to be lacking in something or vacant. For this reason, some of us can feel disconnected and/or without direction. This is a time that is spiritual rather than mundane, non-materialistic rather than materialistic. It’s a time to stay grounded and centered. It’s also a time for turning inward to seek answers.

Yes, the Moon really does have that much influence on us. After all, we are about 60% water and we’ve seen the effect of the Moon on the tides of Earth, so why wouldn’t it have an effect on us? Learning how much the Moon affects you, as it moves through its signs and phases, is important information that can help you walk your path through this life a little easier.

Now, speaking of the Moon, there’s a New Moon taking place on Monday, October 8th, at 11:47 p.m. EDT. Both the Moon and Sun will be in Libra, giving us a chance to seek balance and harmony within ourselves and our lives.

The energies of this New Moon and this combination can reveal too much reliance on others and, possibly, and inability to move forward spontaneously. If this is true for you, is this holding you back from reaching the dreams, desires, and goals you hold for your life?

The energies of this combination are harmonious, hopeful and practical coupled with humanitarian views and a desire to do good. The deciding factor is how you allow the influence of partners, family, and friends affect where your life path takes you. Perhaps that’s all part of the new beginning for this New Moon – finding balance and harmony with the influence of others upon you and your journey.

In other areas, this is an excellent time for anything artistic or musical. If you’re not a creator of these types of works, then perhaps it’s a time for the enjoyment of them. Nothing helps bring harmony and balance back to us like music and art.

Mercury moves into Scorpio on Tuesday, October 9th, at 8:41 p.m. EDT creating a shrewd, sharp, powerful mind, for those affected by these energies, that will have remarkably clear foresight.

This can be a ruthless, deceptive energy that causes some people to be likewise. At an extreme, it can cause people to be unscrupulous and vengeful, not caring about the feelings of others. Words can become weapons and there is a sense of where another person’s vulnerable points are.

On the other hand, those who choose to use the energies of this placement for higher purposes, will use the brilliant, penetrating, determined qualities of the mind to fight for good causes or to investigate the mysteries of the Universe, including those that are occult or mystical in nature.

The energies of any planetary placement are always neutral in their qualities. It is our choice how we choose to use them – for good or for ill. No matter our choice, Mercury in Scorpio is intense and powerful. Choose wisely how to use this energy.

If you would like to win a chart for yourself or someone else, send me your name and the information for the chart you would like to win (exact birth date, birth time, and birth place) to my email address – Durga1974@aol.com – and put “Astrology Contest” in the subject line.

3rd Place Prize – One Natal Astrology chart for $100 (that’s $50 off the regular price)

All others who enter will get $25 off any one chart they choose to order. It’s my way of saying, “Thank you!” for taking the time to enter.

Contest entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 31, 2018. On November 1st, I draw the winning names and announce them on Twitter and Facebook, sending an email to all the winners to let them know what they have won.

May this New Moon bring you all the new beginnings you desire and need!